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40+ Basic Hindi Phrases for Beginners

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Small steps are the surefire pathway to a long journey. 

Today’s lesson on basic Hindi phrases for beginners is one of those small but vital steps on your journey as a Hindi learner. But what’s so special about this guide?  

Well, to begin with, we have listed more than 40 beginner Hindi phrases for you, covering a variety of everyday situations. This includes greetings, courtesy phrases, expressions for dining and shopping, and different ways to ask for help. Wherever applicable, we have included both the natural translation and the literal translation for the phrases in this article. We have also thrown in a few phrase patterns, for which we’ve provided two to three sample sentences each. 

Please note that, in Hindi, phrases may undergo changes to reflect formality level and gender. 

A Woman Holding Hands and Walking with an Older Woman

Learn how to use basic phrases in Hindi!

Log in to Download Your Free Cheat Sheet - Beginner Vocabulary in Hindi Table of Contents
  1. Greetings and Self-introductions
  2. Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions
  3. Dining & Shopping Phrases
  4. Asking for Help in Hindi
  5. Why HindiPod101.com is the Best

1. Greetings and Self-introductions

The first category in our list of Hindi phrases for beginners is greetings and self-introductions. There are ample ways to greet others in both formal and informal contexts, so let’s start with the simplest ones and work our way up. 

1 – Greetings

नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.)
“Hello.” (Formal / Informal)
This phrase can be used in both formal and informal situations. Informally, it’s used to greet the elderly or those who are close in age to you (but with whom you wish to maintain a respectful distance).

नमस्कार। (NamaSkaar.)
“Hello!” (Formal)

शुभ प्रभात। (subh prabhaaT.)
“Good morning.” (Highly Formal)
People never use this phrase in day-to-day life, as it’s highly formal. However, you can hear Hindi-speaking news anchors use it quite frequently.

शुभ संध्या। (subh SaNDHyaa.)
“Good evening.” (Highly Formal)
People never use this phrase in day-to-day life, as it’s highly formal. However, you can hear Hindi-speaking news anchors use it quite frequently.

2 – Asking How They Are

कैसे हैं आप? (kaiSe hain aap?) = [To a male]
“How are you?” (Formal)

कैसी हैं आप? (kaiSii hain aap?) = [To a female]
“How are you?” (Formal)

क्या हाल है? (kyaa haaL hai?) [Literal Meaning: “What’s the situation?”]
“What’s up?” (Informal)

कैसे हो? (kaiSe ho?) = [To a male]
“How are you?” (Informal)

कैसी हो? (kaiSii ho?) = [To a female]
“How are you?” (Informal)

3 – Responding Back

मैं ठीक हूँ। (main thiik huun.)
“I am okay.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं अच्छा हूँ। (main acchaa huun.) = [Male]
“I am good.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं अच्छी हूँ। (main acchii huun.) = [Female]
“I am good.” (Formal / Informal)

एकदम बढ़िया! (ekaDam badhiyaa!) [Literal Meaning: “Absolutely great!”]
“Perfect!” (Informal)

मज़े में! (maze men!) [Literal Meaning: “Having fun!”]
“Great!” (Informal)

आपसे मिलकर बहुत अच्छा लगा। (aapaSe miLakar bahuT acchaa Lagaa.)
“It’s great to meet you.” (Formal)

तुमसे मिलकर बहुत अच्छा लगा। (TumaSe miLakar bahuT acchaa Lagaa.)
“It’s great to meet you.” (Informal)

मिलकर अच्छा लगा। (miLakar acchaa Lagaa.)
“Nice meeting you.” (Informal)

बहुत दिन बाद मिलना हुआ। (bahuT DiN baaD miLaNaa huaa.) [Literal Meaning: “We met after so many days.”]
“It’s been so long!” (Informal)

4 – Introducing Yourself

Phrase Pattern
मेरा नाम …. है। (meraa Naam … hai.)
“My name is… ”

मेरा नाम सूरज है। (meraa Naam Suuraj hai.) = [Male]
“My name is Suraj.” (Formal / Informal)

मेरा नाम पूनम है। (meraa Naam puuNam hai.) = [Female]
“My name is Poonam.” (Formal / Informal)

Phrase Pattern
मैं …. से हूँ। (main … Se huun.)
“I’m from…”

मैं दिल्ली से हूँ। (main DiLLii Se huun.)
“I’m from Delhi.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं केरल से हूँ। (main keraL Se huun.)
“I’m from Kerala.” (Formal / Informal)

Phrase Pattern
मैं ……. का रहने वाला हूँ। (main … kaa rahaNe vaaLaa huun.) = [Male]
“I live in…”

मैं दिल्ली का रहने वाला हूँ। (main DiLLii kaa rahaNe vaaLaa huun.) = [Male]
“I live in Delhi.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं केरल का रहने वाला हूँ। (main keraL kaa rahaNe vaaLaa huun.) = [Male]
“I live in Kerala.” (Formal / Informal)

Phrase Pattern
मैं ……. की रहने वाली हूँ। (main … kii rahaNe vaaLii huun.) = [Female]
“I live in…”

मैं दिल्ली की रहने वाली हूँ। (main DiLLii kii rahaNe vaaLii huun.) = [Female]
“I live in Delhi.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं केरल की रहने वाली हूँ। (main keraL kii rahaNe vaaLii huun.) = [Female]
“I live in Kerala.” (Formal / Informal)

2. Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions

A Woman Hugging Her Boyfriend Upon Receiving a Gift from Him

Thank you so much for everything!

Some of the most common Hindi words and phrases for beginners include the typical courtesy phrases. Memorizing these expressions and learning how to use them will help you put your best foot forward and leave a good impression on native speakers. 

धन्यवाद। (DHaNyavaaD.)
“Thank you.” (Formal / Informal)

शुक्रिया। (sukriyaa.)
“Thank you.” (Formal / Informal)

मुझे ख़ुशी हुई। (mujhe khusii huii.) [Literal Meaning: “It made me happy.”]
“It’s a pleasure.” (Formal / Informal)

मैं माफ़ी चाहता हूँ। (main maafii caahaTaa huun.) = [Male]
“I am sorry.” (Formal)

मैं माफ़ी चाहती हूँ। (main maafii caahaTii huun.) = [Female]
“I am sorry.” (Formal)

माफ़ करना। (maaf karaNaa.)
“Sorry.” (Informal)

मुझे माफ़ कर दो। (mujhe maaf kar Do.)
“Please forgive me.” (Informal)

कोई बात नहीं। (koii baaT Nahiin.)
“No problem.” (Informal)

फिर मिलते हैं। (phir miLaTe hain.) [Literal Meaning: “Let’s meet again.”]
“See you.” (Informal)

अपना ध्यान रखना। (apaNaa DHyaaN rakhaNaa.)
“Take care.” (Informal)

अपना ख़्याल रखना। (apaNaa khayaaL rakhaNaa.)
“Take care.” (Informal)

मदद के लिए शुक्रिया। (maDaD ke Liye sukriyaa.)
“Thank you for the help.” (Formal)

आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद। (aapakaa bahuT-bahuT DHaNyavaaD.)
“Thank you so much.” (Formal)

3. Dining & Shopping Phrases

Many cities in India have restaurants, dhabas, food stalls, and small fast-food shops at almost every corner. Turns out, we Indians are big foodies. If you get a chance to dine at a fine restaurant or have a quick bite at a local dhaba, here are some useful Hindi phrases for beginners you’ll need to know for the best experience. 

Quick Note: The Hindi word for “payment” is rarely used in spoken language. Instead, use the English word “payment.”

सुनिए! (SuNiye!) [Literal Meaning: “Listen!”]
“Excuse me!” (Formal)
Use this phrase only at decent restaurants.

माफ़ कीजिये। (maaf kiijiye.) [Literal Meaning: “Forgive me.”]
“Excuse me.” (Formal)
Use this phrase only at decent restaurants.

Phrase Pattern
… है? (… hai?)
“Do you have…?”

चाय है? (caay hai?) [Literal Meaning: “Is there tea?”]
“Do you have tea?” (Informal)

कॉफ़ी है? (kaufii hai?)  [Literal Meaning: “Is there coffee?”]
“Do you have coffee?” (Informal)

खाने में क्या है? (khaaNe men kyaa hai?) [Literal Meaning: “What is there in the food?”]
“What do you have?” (Informal)

Phrase Pattern 
क्या मुझे ….. मिल सकता है? (kyaa mujhe … miL SakaTaa hai?)
“Can I get…?”

क्या मुझे बिरयानी और दही मिल सकती है? (kyaa mujhe birayaaNii aur Dahii miL SakaTii hai?)
“Can I get biryani and curd?” (Formal)

क्या मुझे सब्ज़ी-चावल मिल सकता है? (kyaa mujhe Sabzii-caavaL miL SakaTaa hai?)
“Can I get curry and rice?” (Formal)

Three Friends Chatting and Laughing while Having Coffee Drinks

Can I get some cold coffee, please?

Phrase Pattern
क्या आपके पास …… है? (kyaa aapake paaS … hai?)
“Do you have…?”

क्या आपके पास बिरयानी और दही है? (kyaa aapake paaS birayaaNii aur Dahii hai?)
“Do you have biryani and curd?” (Formal)

क्या आपके पास सब्ज़ी-चावल है? (kyaa aapake paaS Sabzii-caavaL hai?)
“Do you have curry and rice?” (Formal)

बिल कितना हुआ? (biL kiTaNaa huaa?)
“How much is the bill?” (Informal)

कितना हुआ? (kiTaNaa huaa?)
“How much?” (Informal)

कितने पैसे हुए? (kiTaNe paiSe huye?)
“How much?” (Informal)

Upclose Shot of Plates at a Kaiten-zushi (Rotating Sushi) Restaurant

Handy Phrases When Dining at a Restaurant

कितना देना है? (kiTaNaa DeNaa hai?)
“How much to pay?” (Informal)

क्रेडिट कार्ड चलेगा? (kredit kaard caLegaa?)
“Is a credit card okay?” (Informal)

कार्ड से भुगतान हो जायेगा? (kaard Se bhugaTaaN ho jaayegaa?)
“Will the credit card work?” (Formal)

4. Asking for Help in Hindi

Asking for help is inevitable when you’re in a foreign land. It’s always a great idea to learn phrases you could use in times of emergency. That’s why our final section focuses on beginner Hindi phrases that will help you get help or resolve issues in a pinch. 

Phrase Pattern
…… कहाँ / किधर है? (…… kahaan / kiDHar hai?)
“Where is…?”

पुस्तकालय कहाँ है? (puSTakaaLay kahaan hai?)
“Where is the library?” (Formal / Informal)

पुलिस चौकी किधर है? (puLiS caukii kiDHar hai?)
“Where is the police station?” (Formal / Informal)

Phrase Pattern
…… कितनी दूर है? (kiTaNii Duur hai?)
“How far is the…?”

दुकान कितनी दूर है? (DukaaN kiTaNii Duur hai?)
“How far is the store?” (Formal / Informal)

अस्पताल कितनी दूर है? (aSpaTaaL kiTaNii Duur hai?)
“How far is the hospital?” (Formal / Informal)

आपको अंग्रेज़ी आती है? (aapako angrezii aaTii hai?)
“Do you know English?” (Formal / Informal)

क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं? (kyaa aap angrezii boLaTe hain?) = [To a male]
“Do you speak English?” (Formal / Informal)

क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हैं? (kyaa aap angrezii boLaTii hain?) = [To a female]
“Do you speak English?” (Formal / Informal)

इसे हिंदी में कैसे बोलते हैं? (iSe hiNDii men kaiSe boLaTe hain?)
“How do you say it in Hindi?” (Formal / Informal)

मुझे समझ नहीं आया। (mujhe Samajh Nahiin aayaa.)
“I don’t understand.” (Informal)

A Little Boy Who Needs to Use the Bathroom

Where’s the restroom?

आपने क्या कहा? (aapaNe kyaa kahaa?)
“What did you say?” (Formal / Informal)

मुझे डॉक्टर की ज़रूरत है। (mujhe dauktar kii zaruuraT hai.)
“I need a doctor.” (Formal / Informal)

मुझे फ़ौरन अस्पताल जाना है। (mujhe fauraN aSpaTaaL jaaNaa hai.)
“I need to go to the hospital right now!” (Formal / Informal)

मुझे मदद चाहिए। (mujhe maDaD caahiye.)
“I need help.” (Formal / Informal)

मदद करो! (maDaD karo!)
“Help!” (Informal)

क्या आप दोबारा बोलेंगे? (kyaa aap Dobaaraa boLenge?) = [To a male]
“Could you say it again?” (Formal)

क्या आप दोबारा बोलेंगी? (kyaa aap Dobaaraa boLengii?) = [To a female]
“Could you say it again?” (Formal)

कृपया, एक बार फिर से बोलिये। (kripayaa, ek baar phir Se boLiye.)
“Could you repeat that, please?” (Formal)
The Hindi word for “please” is rarely used in spoken language. Even if you don’t use it, politeness is implied here.

Someone Performing the Heimlich Maneuver on Someone Who Is Choking on an Apple

Oh God, someone help me!!

क्या आप बात को वापस दोहराएंगे? (kyaa aap baaT ko vaapaS Dohraayenge?) = [To a male]
“Could you repeat what you just said?” (Formal)

क्या आप बात को वापस दोहराएंगी? (kyaa aap baaT ko vaapaS Dohraayengii?) = [To a female]
“Could you repeat what you just said?” (Formal)

फिर से बोलना! (phir Se boLaNaa!)
“Please, repeat!” (Informal)

5. Why HindiPod101.com is the Best

There are plenty of reasons why HindiPod101.com is the best Hindi learning platform. 

First of all, we pamper our Hindi learners with world-class resources. Various features such as flashcards, a grammar bank, an online dictionary, and a word bank make it easy—and so much fun—to learn and practice the Hindi language.

In case you get stuck somewhere, we’re just one click away. You can always reach out with questions in the comments or email us directly, though we recommend upgrading to Premium PLUS so you can take advantage of our MyTeacher service. For even greater convenience, you can download our mobile app to dive into the world of Hindi anywhere, anytime. 

Coming back to today’s lesson, which of these Hindi phrases for beginners do you feel are the easiest to use? Did you know any of them before reading this article? Let us know in the comments below! 

Happy Hindi learning!

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